FC releases November Ranking for 2014 Draft

There’s a new No. 1 in Future Considerations’ November ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.

Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad has overtaken Kootenay Ice forward Sam Reinhart as Future Considerations’ top prospect in 2014. The 6-foot-4 Ekblad is off to an impressive start in Barrie, recording six goals and seven assists in 18 games.

Reinhart hasn’t struggled by any means with nine goals and 28 points in 16 games, but Ekblad’s rise goes well beyond statistics.

“Ekblad has continually developed so many facets of his game from last season that this move was an easy decision for our staff,” scouting director Dan Stewart said. “Out west, Reinhart has put up a ton of points with Kootenay but his overall game has not progressed as much as we have hoped, leading to the change in rankings between the two.”

Sam Bennett, ranked fifth a month ago, has leapfrogged both Rogle’s William Nylander and Leon Draisaitl of the Prince Albert Raiders and into third spot on Future Considerations’ list. The 17-year-old Bennett has been exceptional for the Kingston Frontenacs and has 10 goals and 22 points in 14 games this season.

“Bennett has done nothing but impress our evaluators since last season when he was a thin but highly motivated rookie winger with Kingston,” Stewart said. “He has taken his strong two-way game to the next level and now needs to be considered an elite level talent for the 2014 NHL Draft.”